Full Breakdown
Eagles Look to DeVonta Smith as Primary Target After A.J. Brown Trade
8/18/2026, 5:50:34 AM
Background: Brown’s Departure and Smith’s Track Record
In June, the Philadelphia Eagles traded veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots, ending a stretch in which he recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in six of his seven NFL seasons. The move leaves DeVonta Smith, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, as the clear front-court option. Smith has posted three 1,000-yard seasons in his five-year tenure with Philadelphia and, last season, posted 1,008 yards—just ahead of Brown’s 1,003 yards.
Coach Sirianni’s Outlook
Head coach Nick Sirianni told SiriusXM that the team will be fine without Brown because Smith is already regarded as the No. 1 receiver. He emphasized that the Eagles have treated Smith as such since drafting him, planning the offense around his skill set. Sirianni also highlighted the depth behind Smith, noting rookie Makai Lemon and newly acquired Dontayvion Wicks as additional options, while expecting tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley to stay healthy.
Data & Statistics
Outlook for the Season
Sirianni believes increased targets for Smith will translate into “good things” for the offense, potentially restoring the Eagles to the Super Bowl-contending form they displayed two seasons ago. The coaching staff’s confidence hinges on Smith’s ability to handle a larger share of the passing game while the supporting cast remains healthy.
